Kent Drive?

[Dalto123]

Evening all,

As you may have seen in the Best Drives in Kent? thread I suggested a gathering for Kent PH'ers as quite a few of us seem to be from the Bromley area.

I haven't yet got a route planned yet, but with the suggestion of littlepaul people can voice their interest or routes in this thread and we'll go from there

Many thanks

Phil

[Dalto123]

As I said nothing's in the diary yet - just scoping out numbers who are potentially interested and routes if anyone has suggestions?

May have to nick one out of the Kent driving roads thread

[Dalto123]

Hol. I think you're right. Ive been on a drive with more than5/6 cars and the group did split up.

Perhaps as a first drive out we should put a cap on at 6 cars? We can start a reserve list (and there may be a passenger seat free in my car )

[Dalto123]

There seems to be recommendations of going out Edenbridge way. I'm game to go out that way - a group of 8 would be a nice number too

Red Devil - sounds like you've done quite a few of these then! Would you happen to have any routes in that sort of direction? If not some other local ones would be great

If we did - a meeting point such as Westerham or Biggin Hill would probably be a good idea? Never organised such a thing before

[Dalto123]

I've only spotted one locally! And the owner did turn up on here but I can't remember the name now (blue Clio sport)

[Dalto123]

littlepaul said:

seems that this is coming along nicely thank you "ncs" for the offer to help .Edenbridge is fine with me , what kinda time of year are people thinking? April for the first one to see how we get on ? open to suggestions though.

Just wanted to add my thanks onto this too! I'm currently playing around with some route planning software for Tomtom/ Garmin called TyreToTravel - and practicing with first route suggested in the driving roads thread (not that we'll use that one necesarilly)

Just to ask again - has anyone got any routes planned for the Edenbridge area already? Even better if it's on Google Maps

I must admit I thought this drive may happen sooner but that depends upon a lot of things - we'll be sure to give plenty of notice

[Dalto123]

littlepaul said:

how are you getting on with the software ? Is it fairly simple as I have not used anything like that. I would be happier for it to happen sooner , just others might want better weather , or not want to take their nice car out in the "floods" as it were

50/50 at the moment. It's good in the sense that it looks like google maps - so your route is really easy to follow - there are lots of waypoints along the way too. However I'm having some trouble simply reversing the route (ie start towards Westerham - and at Maidstone area) and nothing I seem to do manages to fix it!

In order to combat this I believe your route must join up, then you can reverse the route. I may make up a small one and see if I can load it up onto the Garmin.

General question again to those who have shown an interest in the drive. Do you have a Tomtom or Garmin? If so, and only if I can get the route to work, it may be worth me sending out the route as a file for you to load onto yours

I get what you mean about the weather - would be much nicer to drive in the nicer weather, particularly as some may not be inclinced to take their toys out in some of the weather we've had recently. On the other hand my slightly childish 'want it now' side is emerging!

[Dalto123]

Both meeting points strike a chord - I've never been to the 7 Diner but passed it loads of times! and the Woodman as there were TIPEC meets there I went to with my Dad!

7 Diner may be a better idea then as a start and finish point as it's quick and easy to get to (particularly from Orpington) - I was thinking a drive of around 2-2.5 hours would be about right? As it's my first time kind of organising one of these things I don't want to go too mad with timings or numbers taking part (8 max preferably)

I get what you mean about the timings. I think holding it off for a while may acutally be a good idea - wait for the roads to dry out a bit and have some stable weather


For now how about we start a list for those interested. Please add yourself if you're interested.

1. Dalto123 - Mazda MX5
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Reserve List

1.
2.
3.

[Dalto123]

I know that well enough Matt But the idea of floods is off putting - all the more reason to postpone for a bit!

Had a look at the 7 Diner restaurant's website - I really ought to get along there for some grub, looks great!

[Dalto123]

Just a bit of house keeping. Planning on keeping the list at 8 for the moment. Date not thought of yet, so those on the reserve list still do have a chance to join in if some can't make it

1. Dalto123 - Mazda MX5
2. Littlepaul - Mazda MX5 or Focus
3. DrDantastic - Mazda MX5
4. Kiethton - BMW 540i
5. Ash-GT - Astra VXR
6. Geekman - MR2
7. Red Devil - MR2
8. Rochester TVR - Cerbera 4.5

Reserve List

1. Winshent - Focus
2. HOL - EVO Hatch or MX5
3.

kiethton said:

winshent said:

Dalto123 said:

Evening all,
I suggested a gathering for Kent PH'ers as quite a few of us seem to be from the Bromley area.

Anyone up for a meet at the crown or somewhere similar (Maybe one of the pubs along the A21 past locksbottom) one night after work?

I'd be game just work/other commitment dependent - Never been in the Crown, always been a fan of the Queens Head/The Buff

Would it work upping the list to 12 or so? - still manageable size wise?

Same here - The PH kent meet is up soon, but are you thinking earlier than that?

I may up the list. seeing as this is the first time I've done this I don't want to go too mad on numbers yet. There is a slight (and I emphasise 'slight' ) chance that it may increase with demand.

Now just going to look up where these pubs are - I've already mentioned how my sense of direction is

[Dalto123]

winshent said:

I'm thinking of a meet for the Bromley locals since someone mentioned some live round the area.. Nothing the size of Umairs meet at The Grasshopper, which isnt until 1st April..

How about Wed 12th March at The Rose and Crown..

Just sayin, would be good to meet a few locals..


PS.. shame the drive is limited to 8, given potentially a couple wont turn up..

I like the look of that pub. Went there a few years ago and was nice enough - Happy to go there on the 12th - 6pm ish?

Ref the numbers. I understand what you mean. But seeing as this is the first drive I'll be doing I don't want to feel out of my depth in numbers - I've got to make sure I can keep 8 of us together on the drive.

Of course if demand and the reserve list grows I may stick a few those at the top onto the main list - but seeing as we are in the planning stages, nothing is set in concrete yet - Plus if a couple do pull out then you've definitley got a space

Anyway - would be great to meet everyone for the Kent drive and those who are just from the area

[Dalto123]

The more the merrier, but the Griffith must be in attendance

[Dalto123]

Thank you very much! Any way of viewing those routes on google maps?

[Dalto123]

greengreenwood7 said:

sorry no, i havent had the time to upload a gmaps version, but you can download as an ITN and if you have TYRE installed you can then view the route in TYRE or convert using the TYRE interface into a gmap......
those routes are ones that we've used in skcc a fair few times, we generally favour smaller more interesting roads as opposed to the bigger A rd ( license losers)......and as they say ' fun isn't a straight line'....

btw- for ease of arranging a drive out - worth trying to get drivers to use sat nav routes whether itn for ttom or garmin equivalent. far easier than trying to keep 8 cars in formation, and takes the pressure of anyone feeling they have to keep up and therefore end up out of their comfort zone. i reckon that nowadays about 80-90% of our runners use this now.

Good shout on the last point! I'd like that preferably - takes some pressure off me in case they become separated from the group!

I must apologise, I'm being very thick! I've right clicked on a route from the link you gave me, but I can only save it as a text document. How do I get to open it in Tyre?

[Dalto123]

ncs said:

So you don't want me to bring the L200 then?

Don't worry, the Griff will be there, possibly with another TVR or two & I hope a Ferrari 512BB...watch this space.

Nick

Well. Now you've offered the L200 I couldn't turn that offer down now could I?

Good to hear! Would love to have a nose around the 512BB especially! Not many of those out there!

[Dalto123]

greengreenwood7 said:

Dalto...ah, had that issue with a few of our own members - it seems to be a browser related issue.....one that i never got to the bottom of as they all work fine on all my pc's....i use Internet explorer - an older version and firefox....should give the option os saving/opening, best to save and then just open using TYRE - but for sure won't work unless you have TYRE installed on yr pc/lappie......

in terms of sat nav....
i gave up going on runs that were follow the leader after a daft day a few years back.it was another car clubs run and there was about 10 of us, over a 3 mile period the 1st 6 cars got past a lone stranger leaving 4 of us plodding along, when my time finally came i got past only to find the 7 or so in front of me ambling along the most fantastic bit of road waiting for us the group to reassemble - plain daft and a waste of a terrific bit of tarmac....our weekend runs are anywhere from 5-15 in numbers and all that happens is that the slower guys are under zero pressure and no one has to worry about an overtake that they'd normally feel uncomfortable with.....given that a 2nd hand ttom that can do ITN's can be had for a few quid off the bay it's a no brainer.....

Interesting. I'll try using Internet Explorer when I get home and do the same (currently use Firefox). I'm sure it'll work out

I too have been on a few drives where it's very much been 'follow the leader' - Of course I got completely lost! If/ when this does happen it would be nice to have a head count of those with sat nav's and possibly have them placed at points in the group between those who don't (although I admit this is easier said than done!).

I think 8 will be the perfect number to start with - I know some people may be upset that they haven't made it onto the list in time. My point is that there probably will be drop outs, and if the group got too large and you became seperated, that's not exactley going to end well either is it?

[Dalto123]

Thanks for the feedback greengreenwood7 and Red Devil. Playing around with the route again and factored in a potential stopping place. Would ether of you mind me PM'ing you the revised route (as pointed out) to keep it off the public forum?

I plan on emailing all participants before the drive with maps and files for sat nav devices as well as start times to keep people not on the list turning up.

The majority of us seem to be driving up from Bromley/ Petts Wood area. The start location seemed like the ideal place to meet up/ finish and possibly have some brekkie. I understand finishing elsewhere may be a good idea though

[Dalto123]

Moosh said:

Publishing your route/s on PH is a sure way to attract the traffic police. I would use email to distribute the route.
Just a suggestion

Dalto123 said:

I plan on emailing all participants before the drive with maps and files for sat nav devices as well as start times to keep people not on the list turning up.

[Dalto123]

Sure. Do you want to do that?

[Dalto123]

winshent said:

pub meet posted here

Great stuff! Got myself on the list

DrDantastic said:

Dalto, I would echo Red Devil's comments. As an Edenbridge local who has worked in Sevenoaks, Eridge and Crawley I know a few fun back roads and would be happy to help if you need me to. Top work on setting all this up, by the way.

My pleasure

If you've got any suggestions of routes/ roads drop me a PM. I've been modifying the route quite extensively so I may well have incorporated some roads you're thinking of!


Another little update, I downloaded another route form the Southern Kit Car website just to play around with to get to load onto the Garmin, and by some kind of miricle It has! I've got the day off from work tomorrow so going to take a little drive out and see how well it works